Hydropneumatic gas generator



J. W. DUNTLEY.

HYDRoPNEUwIATlc GAS GENERATOR. v

APPLICATION FI'LED DCT.10, 1917.

Patented Aug., L 1922.,

194%@ El @Q 3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

J. VV. DUNTLEY.

HYDROPNEUMATIC GAS GENERATOR.

APPLICATION 'FILED 0C'f1l019l7.

Patented All@ L 1922.,

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

` j. W DUNTLEY.

HYDROPNEUMATIC GAS GENERATOR.

APPLICATION HLED oc'r 10.191?.

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3SHEETS--SHEET 3- zfj f WE Z @L fj g Hugh! Mm www TUHH W. BENTLEY, 0F EICAGO, ILLNUES.

HYDRJPNEUMATIC GAS Grml'mlTUIt-t.

Meinen Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented fitug. il, QZL..

Application filed tlctoher 10, i917. Serial No. 195.870.

To ail whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, donn l/l. Dun'rnnv, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city ot Chicago, in the county ot' Cook and State of illinois, have invented certain new and useful improvements in a Hydropneuinatic Gas Generator; and l do hereby declare that the following is a tallQ clear, and exact description of the sanie, ret'- erence being had to the acconipang/ingN draw ings and to the numerals of reference niarled thereon7 which torni a part ot this specifica tion.

Heretot'ora in niotor vehicles the fuel generally used tor the internal combustion engine has been a mixture or gasoline and air. @Wing to the great demand tor gasoline, the qualityis becoming very interior,

f partly through adulteration the source ot production, and partly because of the further adnlteration hy dealers who seek a pioi'it tliei'eloy5 although enacting tiill price asgasoline; it has consequently heconie more and more expensive to operate gaso line engines ot' all hinds, and the carbureting devices heretofore used are not giving satisfactory results, inasmuch as the liquid tnel mixture noiv available under the naine gasoline is niuch less volatile than true gasoline. and mileage per gallon oit ltiiel has t'allen od because ot imperfect combustion.

lt is an object of this invention to provide a device in which a cheap. lovograde fuel niay be used, and with which (in soine instances), a quantityv of water or Water vapor and air may he used in the coinhnstihle mixture within the cylinder.` preventin@` dei positing of carbon in the cylinders and on the valves and pistons ot' the engine,

llt is t'urth an ohject ot this invention to provide a device ot' the class specified in which the hydro-carbon is heated to distillation and the vapor somewhat super-heated and then niiiied ivith cold (and Water vapor, it desired), thereby adapting the heated ras to taire up a niazginiurn quantity ot air (and water, it used) and torovidinga highly combustible and economical enplo sive ininture or gas for internal combustion i engines.

lt is tnrtlier an object of this invention to provide a device in which a suitahie prireingg tluid may he introduced as a rich iniit- 4. l a. w 'E t .f5 i

into the intake inaniioid oi the engine to facilitate starting of the engine, and which the saine may he entirely ont out to permit the engine operating on the hydropneuinatic gas thereafter generated.

lt is further an object of this invention to provide a device ot the class specified in which. Water vapor may loe mixed With a quantity oi' air prior to the introduction oit the highly heated hydro-carbon gas, and in 1which the elements are then combined and thoroughly mined and raised to a high teinperature in their passage to the engine cyl inders.

lt is further an Aoloject of this invention to provide a device in which cornhined elen inents forming a conihustihle gas are superheated to insure complete volatilization ot the hydro-carbon constituents and then as they are being delivered to the intake ports ot the engine, are niixed Ywith n colder in tloiv ot' air to complete the iniiiture hetore admission into the cylinders.

@ther and further important objects ot this invention ivill be apparent from the disclosures in the siliecitication and dreivings.

rlie invention (in a preferred torni is illustrated in the drawings and herein niore t'ulljf described.

Un the drawings:

lliggnre l is a side elevation oi a device embodying' iny invention.

Figure 2 is a vieiv ot' the combined generator and intake and exhaust inaniicold with the cover plate removed.

igure 3 is a section taken through the i saine at the point ot hon gas pipe.

Figure et is an enlarged sectional vieiv ot the atoiniaer with the doa-t chaniloer in elevation.

Figure is an enlarged section of the carhuretingi1 and mining chamber.

Figure o is an enlarged detail of the Water vaporizing device.

.Figure i is an eniarged detail ot the prireing device.

Figure 8 is a bottoni plan vieiv ot the valve for the water vaporizing device.

Figure 9 is a vertical section taken through the float cliainloer.

Figure ll) is a vertical section ta-lien right angles with Figure 9.

liignre il isr a top plan vieny ota the dont valve chanilier and tloat with the cover re inoved.

'Figure l), is a vieiv taken on line L12-Wd@ ci: Figure 9.

enit ot the hydro-cari. rst

'Iii

is a pipe or connectlon 6a,

As shown in the drawings:`

A manifold heater is provided which comprises a combined generator, intake and exhaust manifold. Said device comprises a casing 1, affording a generating chamber 2, into which the'exhaust from the engine is delivered through the ports 3, which register with the exhaust ports of the engine when the manifold generator is attached thereto. The exhaust, after passing through the manifold generator chamber, is delivered through exhaust pipe 4, to the muier (not shown). Said casing. 1, is also provided with a chamber 5, for receiving the combustible mixture of. fuel, and has inlet ports 6, which register with the inlet ports for the engine,y Integral with-the casing and communicating with the fuel chamber 5,

forming, together with said chamber, an auxiliary mixing chamber. This is provided with a liange 7, for purposes hereinafter set forth. The casing 1, is also provided withv flanges 8-9, and a cover plate 10, secured to these flanges, is constructed to provide two passages 11 12, in the wall thereof, which open through said cover plate 10, the walls at the lower outer ends of the passages being internally threaded.

Rigidly secured to the flange 7, of the pipe 6 is a carbureting and mixing device 13, which comprises a casin of suitable shape, in the outlet end of which a throttle valve 14, is journalled, provided with a lever` 15, adapted for connection with a suitable operating means (not shown). An air inlet passage 15, is provided, in which an adjustable is provided, and a handle 17, is connected with said valve for setting the same in desired position. An automatic air valve 1-8, is provided, which seats on a valve seat 19, at the upper end of the air inlet passage 15a. For the purpose of controlling the opening of said automatic valve, a cap 20,

is threaded Into a boss 21. Extending into the mixing chamber and threaded centrally through the cap 20, is a stem 22` provided with a guide stem 23, on which said valve 18, moves, and a `spring 24, normally tends to hold the valve seated. For the purpose of locking the stem .22, from accidental adjustment, a collar 25, is threaded on the stem 22, and -a lock spring 26, is interposed between the same and cap 20. y

A hydro-carbon atomizer is provided, which comprises a float chamber 35, communicating with va hydro-carbon source of supply by means of a plug 70. having an axial passage therethrough, and threaded into a passage 71, opening into the float chamber near the bottom thereof, and an apertured plug 72, is threaded into plug 70, and into which the supply pipe 36, is threaded. Said plugs or fittmgs have a straining butteriy or other suitable valve 16, f

4pipe 51",

screen 73, interposed in the passage therethrough and between the plugs. The plug 70, has a cylindrical extension 74, of less diameter than the internal diameter of the boss 71, providing a passage therebetween, which communicates with the axial passage in the plugs by means of apertures 75. A needle valve 76, is provided, adapted to seat in the passage at the end of the plug 70, to control the supply of hydro-carbon fluid to the float chamber. A float 77, of spun copper or other suitable material is provided with a guide stem 7 8, extending axially therethrough. Pivotally connected to the lower end of the guide stem 7 8,- is ank arm 79, of. a bell-crank lever, the other arm 80,

lof which, extendsthrough a slot in the needle valve 76, and is forked tov engage on each side of a pin 81, secured to the needle valve and extends through the slot therein. The bell crank Alever is pivoted to the casing by means of a pin 83. A detachable cover plate 82, is secured to the float chamber, and is provided with an aperture through which the guide stem 78, engages. A passage 38, is cored through the wall of the oat chamber, and affords communication between the float chamber and cupshaped'member 39, which, Atogether with the cup-shaped member 40, of the atomizing casing 41, forms a vfuel chamber 83, from which a restricted passage 42, opens into the atomizing chamber 43, in casing 41. Av bolt 84, extends through the members 39- 40, and rigidly secures the float chamber 35, to the atomizmg casing 41, but permits relative adjustment. An air inlet passage 44, opens from said chamber 43, to the atmosa 1ere, the opening of said air inlet passage being controlled by a valve screw 45, on which a lock nut'46, is threaded.

Threaded into a. boss- 47, is a nut 48, through which is threaded a stem 49, which is shaped to afford a closure for the passage V42. forming a needle valve 50, for-regulating the quantity of hydro-carbon fluid delivered into the awmizing chamber 43, through the passage 42.- A pipe 51, communicates with the atomizing chamber 43.l and is connected to the casing by means of a suitable fluid tight gland or connection 52. The opposite end of the pipe 51, connects through passage 12, in the cover 10, by suitable fittings, and communicates with a pipe 51, whichcoils around the exhaust chamber 2, providing a heating coil, and communicafes through passage 11, and a. suitable ing chamber 13, at the rear of the throttle valve 14. Connections 53--54-55, may be provided to insure air-tight joints for said pipe 51,.passage 12,.pipe 51a, passage 11, and pipe 51h.

For the purpose of supplying a priming Huid to the enginein starting, a priming and suitable fittings. into the mix-v l5 il noaa-liao tank 56, is provided, which has a filling aperture closed by a plug 57. A valve casing 58, is secured in the bottom of the tank 56, provided with apertures 59, for the admission of fuel, and a needle valve 60, controls the outlet from said valve casing. Said needle valve has a handle el, tor manual actuation. Leading from the Valve cas ing 58, is a supply pipe 62,(Which opens in the mixing chamber in advance ot the air valve 18. Suitable duid tight glands S23-6d, are provided for said pipe, and an air aperture 65, opens into the mixing chamber 13, to supply air for the priming iluid when starting the engine.

A Water supply tank 2'?, is provided, to which is secured a suitable Water Vaporieing device which, as shown, comprises a. pipe or sleeve 28, flanged at its upper end to res" on the litting 29, and apertured at its lower end to admit Water thereinto. di member 30, is secured to the tank above the upper end ol2 the sleeve 28, and provides a. chan'iber, the walls being apertured to admit air into the chamber. fiuitab-le material 3l, such as iyicliing, is inserted in the sleeve and extends to theupper end oil the ipe 28, adapted to deliver moisture throng capillary attraction .into said vaporizing chamber. din eziternally threaded boss 32, is integral with the member 30, and is provided with a pas sage conununicating with said chamber. A Water or vapo-r supply pipe 33, is connected at one end to the boss 32, and at its opposite comn'iunicates with 'the chamber d3, above the needle Valve 50, by means of the connector The operation is as follows:

ln starting the engine, the needle Valve lO. in the priming tank, is opened, which admits the high grade fuel, such as gasoline, into the primary mixing chamber i3, which, together with air through aperture b5, is admitted tothe engine to afford the starting charges. fitter starting, the needle relire is closed, shutting ott tuither supply of the priming tuel. ln the meantime, the suction ci the engine has drawn a quantity ci low grade t'uel from the a-tomizer, from, whence, with some air drawn through the open port it passes through the generating coils atlorded by the pipe 5l, in the exhaust chamber, and into the mining chamber i3. is the hydrocarbon is passing thro-ugh the generating coil, it is heated the duistillav tion point and completely yolatilized, 'torming a gas. lt Water be used, the suction oi the engine also draws a. quantity oi Water i'apor or moist air through pipe 33, into the mixing chamber, where it mines with air and hydro-carbon and passes' therewith through the generating coil is breiten up and assists in carburetion.

The hot product -trom the passes into the primary and there receives a supply of colder air through the air valve 18, which cools the intensely heated gases from the v'generating 'coil somewhat, enabling a greater quantity of air to be used, and is thoroughly mixed, passing through mixing chamber or pipe lia, and is again heated to a high temperature and thoroughly mixed in chamber 5, and passes to the cylinders tor use. @By admitting cold air into the hot gas, the mint-ure Will absorb a much larger quantity ot air thanwliere the air is admitted hot.

By the construction described, perfect combustion is attainable. Low grade fuel is successfully used, and'provides a highly eilicient combustible gas; in fact, atlords greater eilicieney than in the use of gasoline. Furthermore, the engine is kept free from carbon; in tact, in actual practice it has been found that previous carbon deposits were removed.,

By adjusting' the needle Valve 50., of the atomizer, the amo-unt or hydro-carbon admitted through the passage can be regulated to a ninety, and adjustment of valve d5, controls the amount of air admitted. 'lllie buttertly valve lo, may be adjusted to any open position, as conditions require, and by adjusting stein 22, the resistance offered against the opening of the automatic air l" Valve can be nicely controlled.

ll am aware. that various details of construction may be varied through a Wide range Without departing from the principles ot this invention, and l therefore do not desire limiting this application otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

.l claim as my invention:

l. ln a device ot the class described, a combined exhaust and intuire manifold, an atomizer, carbureting chamber, a pipe ai" 'fording communication between the atomicer and carbureting chamber, said pipe liar ing a part thereof disposed in the manif l means for supplying air tutti vapor to the atomizer, an automatic valve for said carbureting chamber, l ineens for connecting` the carbure.. loer with the intalre manifold.

il. ln a dei/*ice o'll the class descri manifold containing enhaust and' chambers, an atoinizer, .a mining cha communicating with int-alie niani'ioi"A throttle valre- :tor the mining cli roher, 'a member heatedlby said manifold anording a communication between the etornieer and mining chamber, a Watei ciated with said tanlr for iaciliteti evaporation o' A Water Vapo air opening i ln a t manifold coil chambers,

valle .and i lli ' chamber communicating with the intake water tank, a

manifold, a throttle valve for the mixing chamber, a member heated by said manifold affording communication between the atomizer and mixing chamber, a water tank, means associated with said tank for facilitating vthe evaporation of water, means for delivering the Water vapor into the atomizer, an air opening for said mixing chamber, and an-automatic valve for'said air opening.

4. In a gas generator. a combined intake and exhaust manifold, a heating coil therein, a hydro-carbon atomizer communicating with the heating coil, a mixing chamber communicating with the heating coil, a

vaporizing moisture therefrom to the atomizer, an air inlet valve for the mixing chamber, 'and a throttle valve for the mixing chamber, the intake manifold being heated by the exhaust manifold and through which the combustible mixture passes prior to' its delivery to an engine.

5. In a device of the class described, a manifold containing exhaust and intake chambers, an atomizer, a mixing chamber communicating with the intake chamber, a throttle valve for the` mixing chamber, a member heated by said manifold atfor( ing communication between the atomizer and mixing chamber, a water tank. means associated with said tank for facilitating the evaporation of water, means for delivering the water vapor into the atomizer, an air opening for said mixing chamber, an automatic valve fol' Said air opening. a priming tank, means affording communication between the same and the mixing chamber, and a valve controlling the delivery of priming fluid from the pruning tank to the mixing chamber.

6. In a gas generator, a combined intake and exhaust manifold, a heating coil therein. a hydro-carbon atomizer communicating with the heating coil, said atomizer including a needle valve and an adjustable air inlet, a float chamber communicating with the hydro-carbon atomizer, a connection between said float chamber and said atomizer through which said con'lmunication is effected, said connection including two parts,

and means for securing these parts together device supplying matic air valve with any desired angle between them, a mixing chamber communicating with the heating" coil, a water tank, a vaporizing device supplying moisture therefrom to the atomizer, an air inlet valve for the mixing chamber, and a throttle valve for themixing chamber, the intake manifold being heated by the exhaust manifold and through which the combustible mixture passes' prior to its delivery to an engine.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination with the exhaust manifold of an engine, of an intake manifold embraced thereby, a pipe extending through the exhause manifold to be heated thereby, a casing having a mixing chamber with which one end of the pipe is connected, an automatic air valve for the mixing chamber, a pipe leading from the mixing chamber to the intake manifold, another casing having an air passageway of a predetermined cross-section which remains constant irrespective of the suction exerted by the engine, said second casing discharging into the other end of said pipe, a fuel nozzle feeding into the air passageway, and means for manually regulating the capacity of the nozzle.

8. In a device of the class described, the combination with the exhaust manifold of an engine, of an intake mani old embraced thereby, a pipe extending through the exhaust `manifold tobe heated thereby, a casing having a mixing chamber with which one end of the pipe is connected, an autofor the mixing chamber, a pipe leading from the mixing chamber to the intake manifold, another casing having an air passageway of a predetermined crosssection which remains constant irrespective of the suction exerted by the engine, said second casing discharging into the other end of said pipe. a fuel nozzle feeding into the air passageway, means for manually regulating the capacity of the nozzle, and moistm'e supplying means communicating with said passageway.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN W. DUNTLEY.

Witnesses En L. KULICK, HARRY B. CoLEs'roCK. 

